Oxygen-absorbing composition, oxygen-absorbing resin composition, packing material, multi-layered packing, oxygen absorber packet, packing method and preservation method

Abstract

An oxygen-absorbing composition for a low-humidity environment includes a reduced metal and an accelerator having at least one of iodide and bromide. The accelerator may have at least one of a metallic iodide salt and a metallic bromide salt. The reduced metal and the accelerator may be included in a dry state and the oxygen-absorbing composition may take the form of particles. The oxygen-absorbing composition may be a resin composition made by kneading an oxygen absorber with a thermoplastic resin.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An oxygen absorber packet capable of absorbing said oxygen in an environment of not more than 70% relative humidity and in the absence of a water-supplying component, having the oxygen-absorbing composition comprising: a reduced metal and an accelerator, said accelerator comprising either a metallic iodide salt or a metallic bromide salt or a mixture thereof,   wherein the composition is capable of absorbing said oxygen in an environment of not more than 70% relative humidity and in the absence of a water-supplying component, said oxygen-absorbing composition being included in a dry state and being in the form of particles and wrapped in a gas permeable wrapping material.   
     
     
       2. A preservation method, wherein the oxygen absorber packet according to claim 1 and an item to be preserved are placed into and sealed in a gas-impermeable container. 
     
     
       3. The preservation method according to claim 2, wherein the oxygen permeability of the gas-impermeable container is 0.05-100 cc/m 2 , 24 hr. atm (25° C., 50% RH). 
     
     
       4. The preservation method according to claim 2, wherein the item to be preserved is a medical product or food having a water activity of 0.2-0.7. 
     
     
       5. The preservation method according to claim 2, wherein the gas-impermeable container has a relative humidity of 20-70% inside. 
     
     
       6. A packet for an item to be preserved, having a relative humidity of 20-70% inside, comprising: a gas-impermeable packaging container; the packet according to claim 1 held in said gas-impermeable packaging container; and the item to be preserved in said packet having a water activity of 0.2-0.7.   
     
     
       7. The oxygen absorber packet according to claim 1, wherein said reduced metal is iron powder. 
     
     
       8. The oxygen absorber packet according to claim 1, wherein said metallic iodide salt or said metallic bromide salt is an alkali metallic salt. 
     
     
       9. The oxygen absorber packet according to claim 8, wherein said alkali metallic salt is a potassium salt or a sodium salt or a mixture thereof.